Brath’s ton cheers U-19s

VISAKHAPATNAM, India – An undefeated 104 from West Indies Under-19 captain Kraigg Brathwaite carried his side to a morale-boosting, eight-wicket victory over Australia Under-19s in the Quadrangular Youth Series yesterday.
Brathwaite struck 11 fours and one six from 127 balls, as the Young Windies finished on 235 for two, chasing Young Australia’s 232 for six in the ninth match of the series which also features hosts India and their Asian neighbours Sri Lanka.
The slim opener struck off-spinner William Bosisto for the last of his boundaries to formalise the result with 23 balls remaining at the Reddy Stadium.
It was the first victory for Young Windies in the competition with one match remaining against the hosts, but they have no chance of reaching the final which will be between the Indians and Sri Lankans.
Unlike the previous match between the two sides, West Indies Under-19s’ bowlers hit their straps, and the Australians were not so dominant.
Derone Davis was the pick of the Young Windies bowlers with two wickets for 33 runs from ten overs, as several Australian batsmen got starts without carrying on.
Kurtis Patterson led the way with 49, William Bosisto was not out on 42, Jimmy Peirson got 32, Travis Head 29, Sam Truloff 21, and Dominic McGlinchey was not out 21.
Brathwaite then got solid support from the top order – fellow opener John Campbell scored 56, Anthony Alleyne made 29, and Kyle Mayers was not out 33 – as his side marched to victory.
Campbell dominated an opening stand of 105 with Brathwaite before he was dismissed in the 22nd over. Alleyne added 73 for the second wicket with Brathwaite before he departed in the 39th over, and Brathwaite and Mayers linked for 57 unbroken for the third wicket to take the Caribbean side the rest of the way.
Earlier, West Indies Under-19s contained the Australians and made sure none of their batsmen reached 50.
Davis removed openers Cameron Bancroft, the Aussie captain, for 17, and Nick Stevens for 16 to leave the Young Australians stumbling on 40 for two.
Young Windies met defiance when Head came to the crease and put 60 for the third wicket with Patterson before leg-spinner Donovan Nelson removed him in the 30th over.
This helped the West Indians to retrieve the situation, as four wickets fell for 76 in the space of 83 deliveries, but Bosisto and McGlinchey boosted the Aussies with an unbroken stand of 56 for the seventh wicket.
West Indies Under-19s will face India Under-19s in their final preliminary match tomorrow at the same venue.
The Indians romped to their fifth straight victory, crushing Sri Lanka Under-19s by seven wickets. (CMC)